The Eastern New Orleans Neighborhood Advisory Commission recently held a public forum to inform homeowners about a proposed residential parcel fee in eastern New Orleans. The proposal will be on the Dec. 8 ballot.

If the voters approve it, the yearly fee of between $5 and $10 would be levied for four years, beginning in 2013, on all lots in eastern New Orleans. The money would help the commission, known as ENONAC, in “promoting and encouraging the beautification, economic growth and overall betterment of east New Orleans,” according to the proposal.

During the forum, which Ron Nabonne moderated, residents Marcy McWilliams and Alicia Plummer offered opposing views about the parcel fee.

McWilliams spoke in favor of the fee. She noted that leaders of the commission, an umbrella organization for presidents of many neighborhood groups in eastern New Orleans, attend many city meetings, such as hearings on blight and economic development, which involve eastern New Orleans.

She said eastern New Orleans needs security and beautification, and that $5 a year is little to pay for what ENONAC’s board members and neighborhood presidents hope to accomplish. McWilliams said that even if the parcel fee were $25 a year, she would gladly pay it.

Plummer argued against the proposal, saying the assessment is “not a fee, but a tax.”

She said that of 60 neighborhoods and subdivisions in eastern New Orleans, only 23 participate in ENONAC and that most of those already pay homeowners association fees, which include security and beautification.

Plummer added that residents of New Orleans also pay taxes that include money for city code enforcement and beautification efforts. She expressed concern about what would happen with the parcel fee after the four years are up.

There will be at least one more forum at which residents can learn about the fee and what ENONAC leaders hope to accomplish with the money. It will take place Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. at the St. Maria Goretti Community Center, 7300 Crowder Blvd.

You can learn more about the parcel fee and ENONAC by visiting the group’s website, www.enonac.org, by email to info@ENONAC.org or by calling 504.218.5940.

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State Rep. Wesley Bishop, who represents House District 101, is hosting a town hall meeting today at Dr. Martin Luther King Charter School, 1617 Caffin Ave., from 6 to 7:30 p.m.